limping left leg after running

by jan
(cypress, ca usa)

5 yr old female rottweiler at dog park running, then she started limping and won’t put back paw down..

Hi Jan
This is a situation where you need to get her a veterinary evaluation as soon as possible.

There are all sorts of possible causes for limping like this, some fairly minor, others more serious.

Rottweilers are susceptible to cruciate ligament tears and the rear legs (at the ‘knees’) is where this is most likely to occur.

Stepping in a hole, running on uneven ground, a sudden twist or stop, all of these things can cause injury to joints when it’s a big dog that’s doing the running!

I’m afraid it’s impossible for me to say what is actually wrong, but your veterinarian will be able to do a ‘hands on’ examination and make an accurate diagnosis. Then help you decide what treatment is needed to get her back on her feet – all four of them 🙂

I ish you the best of luck and hope that your Rottie is feeling much better soon.

Comments for limping left leg after running

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 07, 2012

RUBY IS RUNNING AGAIN NEW
by: JAN

Ruby had a complete knee repair around Christmas and turned 6 in January , so glad i did , yes $3000.00 later but she is a part of the family, glad we did it.


Dec 11, 2011

Dog Injury – Torn CCL? NEW
by: Martha

The same thing happened to my 2 year old Rottie at the dog park. She had a torn ligament, repaire with a TTA – Tibial Tuberosity Advancement. Supposedly they recover a bit faster from this newer technique than the older TPLO (Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy), but I will say that the recovery was long and slow. She was in the crate for almost 2 months almost continuously, and had to have her middle supported to limit weight bearing on the rear leg while going potty and eating. It’s been 6 months now, and she’s doing very well. She did have a complication (too much weeping of the wound with a little separation), so the $total so far is about $3700.00. A friend of mine had both of her dog’s rear legs done after tears, had the TPLO, and he’s fine and 8 years old now. (Her cost was $10,000. for both legs). You’ll find that this is a stressful recovery for you and the dog, I wondered if I did the right thing, but now that she’s better I know I did. It’s common for dogs to tear the other knee if they tear the first one, so most insurance companies exclude paying for a 2nd side if your dog has torn 1 side. The only one I have found that does not automatically exclude side 2 is Pet’s Best insurance, but I’m afraid that they’ll think of some reason not to pay so I haven’t gotten it. After this ordeal, I know why pet insurance makes sense – so much cheaper to purchase for a young healthy dog! Good luck, hopefully it’s just a bee sting or a splinter! PS – if it’s a torn CCL, shop around for an ortho vet who has experience with both surgeries.


Dec 11, 2011

Limping NEW
by: Anonymous

My rottie was limping too in the front but it turned out to be just a cracked nail 🙂


Dec 11, 2011

cruciate ligament NEW
by: tellyscrapuk

My 2yr old birch tore her cruciate ligament in the summer. Took her to the vet, he operated (told me it was a common problem in rotties) she is fine now , not even a sign of any trouble. She has made a full recovery. So if it is the ligament its very treatable. Good look with your dog.


Click here to add your own comments

Return to Your Rottweiler Questions.

About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone